Simulator cost reduction and increased learning value

Telling someone how to do a job is one thing, but showing them is altogether different. Simulator development is all about giving employees the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in a task before being placed a critical position where success could mean maintaining the safety or security of the workplace.

Sometimes these innovations can be as simple as acting out regular interactions with a trainer or coworker. Other times simulator developments are immersive experiences using state of the art technology to make the participants feel just like they're using real job tools. While the latter of the two may sound more expensive, it's more cost effective to have a staff of well-trained individuals than to suffer the errors and injuries of an ill-equipped workforce.

Such is the case with high-tech jobs like helicopter operations. Engineering News reported that one company dedicated all of its resources to simulation development, seeking the most advanced teaching tools to better suit employees. Eurocopter, a leader in helicopter flight technicians, crews and pilots, spent a large sum of money to replicate the experience of interacting with their top of the line Super Puma aircraft.

The simulator development incorporates instruments normally found in the cockpit with high definition television screens and surround sound to make the experience feel like the real thing. Eurocopter told Engineering News that, while initial development costs were considerable, every personnel member trained there represents a 75 percent savings over what the company used to spend to accomplish the same end.

While flight simulators are well known, heavy equipment simulators are also on the market; and becoming more prominent given the costs associated with large mining and construction machines. Taking machines out of production for training, or taking the risk of an untrained or undertrained operator running the machines and suffering a mishap, can directly impact an organization’s bottom line. Training on a simulator means operators can make mistakes in the safety of the virtual environment. Plus there is no fuel burned, which leads to even more savings.

Other companies with specialized mechanical and technological instruments can benefit from simulator development like that offered by CSE Software Inc. The company can help design a unique hardware experience that will not only save on training for individual employees, it will also assist in improving productivity and reducing error. The benefits reach well beyond the initial ease of training when it comes to high quality simulator development.